How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Based on the model, they could also sweep, mop and even vacuum staircases.

Look for models that have smart features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions and monitor progress. Some apps allow you to pause and recharge, then return to where they were when they left.

1. Battery Life

With cars that drive themselves drones that can navigate the skies and robot vacuums that can maneuver around furniture, it's safe say that the future of cleaning is here. Like all technologies, some maintenance is required to keep it running smoothly.

The most important aspect in the long-term performance of your robot is the cycle of discharge and charge. Keep the dust bin filled and empty, examining for tangled hairs regularly, and making sure that the brushes are not jammed will all aid in running your robot more effectively.

Another factor is the climate in which your robot is stored as extreme temperatures and cold can impact the battery's performance. You can prolong the lifespan of your robot's battery by charging it to 50% and then storing it in a cool place. Also, remove it from the power source when it is not in use. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates which can optimize performance and battery optimization. Check the app to see if there's any updates.

For those with many hard floors, a robot vacuum is an excellent option. It can quickly and effectively take away dirt and other debris and leave your floors sparkling clean. But if you're looking for more than a simple cleanup, you'll want to choose a model that has superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.

Our top-rated robot vacuum cleaner, the Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation and an impressive suction system and a range of mopping features to offer an efficient, deep cleaning of your hard floors. It uses LiDAR sensors and cameras to create precise maps of your home. This helps it stay on the right path and avoid getting stuck on furniture legs or power cords. It can also detect items such as clutter and shoes, and clean them up automatically. It's also self-emptying, so you don't need to return it to its base to empty the bin after every cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are good for quick midweek cleaning, but lack the suction to replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner for more thorough cleaning. Furthermore, even the top robot vacuums can be caught with toys and cords, miss piles of dirt close to the baseboards, and have to contend with crumbs that have fallen under furniture. The dust bins on their own get so full that they must return to their charging docks in order to empty themselves, which can take up to half an hour for some models.

It's therefore important to look for a robot vacuum that has a big dustbin and can empty into its dock without returning to finish the job. You'll need to decide if you prefer bagged models or a bagless one. If you opt for the bagless option, you'll need to know how much dust it can hold before you have to empty it.

In our tests, we placed 100 grams of sand to carpet with a medium pile and used a robot vacuum to remove the sand. We then weigh the amount of sand in the vacuum's dust bin to determine the amount dirt it has accumulated. A high volume of dirt suggests that the bin onboard could get fuller faster and could cause the robot to stop its cleaning process, or worse, stop working completely.

The positive side is that many top robot vacuums come with a large dust bin which is easily empty and you can even schedule the emptying of their bases at least once a day or more. Keep a container filled with compressed air in your bag to blow away any hairs that are tangled up in the rotating brush, and to clean any filters in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums offer various options for connecting to your home's WiFi. This lets the robot update its software and gives you the option of monitoring your bot through an app or using voice commands. This feature isn't essential, but it does provide convenience and options for customization that can improve the overall robot vacuuming experience.

Most models require a certain amount of routine maintenance, like emptying the dust bin and cleaning the brush roll to keep them functioning at peak efficiency. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and examining consumable parts will also extend their lifespan. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University auto vacuum and mop & Sewing states that three to five years is the standard life expectancy of a robot vacuum. However, it can differ significantly based on how often you use it and whether you maintain it in a proper manner.

To be able to function the robot vacuum, it needs to be able to map your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems incorporate cliff sensors that alert the robot of steep drops. They also have laser and optical sensors that help "see" the layout of the room. Some robots also come with mopping capabilities that are specialized that can be helpful to keep floors clean between deeper cleanings with the use of a stand-up vacuum.

The most effective 2-in-1 robots vacuum and mop, allowing you to skip the step of having to switch between the manual and robot vacuum. One example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and efficient robot vacuum that can clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash the mop pad in a way that is automatic. Its mapping and obstacle avoidance skills were so good that it won the CR's Best Robot vacuum Award, along with an AVTech Editors Choice Award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The top robot vacuums we tested have impressive pickup scores on hard floors and carpets with low pile. They remove dust, dirt and pet hair. They also get rid of particles and crumbs along the baseboards and along the edges of rooms. However, they cannot eliminate deep down dirt or tangles of the carpet's shag carpet and also canister or upright vacuums. They aren't able to pick up spilled liquids and food items, or the weight of metal screws. They can also leave out certain areas (including under furniture).

Many models come with sophisticated features that make them more user-friendly. They usually have an app which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and manage the robot remotely. They also can be integrated with your smart-home system which means you can control them via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes that let you select between mopping, sweeping and vacuuming. They can also recharge at their docks and keep cleaning where they left off.

The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved over years, but it's still necessary to remove cords, toys, and pet clutter before operating the robot. You'll also want to cover any mirrors from floor to ceiling with cardboard prior to tracing out the room for the first time because the laser employed by certain models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to bump into walls or floors.

Some of the top models utilize lidar to create 3D maps of your space. This helps the Robot Vacuum Best remember obstacles and plan an efficient route around them. Some allow you to define no-go zones, so the robot can avoid specific areas, like your pet's food bowls or an expensive rug.

5. App Control

You can set up an agenda for cleaning and control the robots using an app. This allows you to clean your home while you're working or on vacation. Certain robots also automatically empty their debris into a huge bin at the base. This can reduce dust rerelease and is a great feature for people suffering from allergies.

Certain robots, like the more expensive Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can detect objects on the floor and use a camera to coach them to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This feature is also available on less expensive models. It's crucial to clean the dustbin of your robot and look for hairs that have become tangled as they build up.

A high-end model can also store multiple floor maps, which can be useful if you live on more than one level and some models can even create 3D models of your house. You can then pick specific rooms and set up digital zones for keeping out to ensure that your robot stays focused on what you want it to do, instead of wandering around in areas you don't need cleaning.

Robots are good for midweek cleaning, but they aren't able to replace a plug-in vacuum especially when it concerns rugs. They are better at removing dirt from carpet than bare flooring, but can still be unable to find piles near baseboards or thresholds, as well as tangled cords and socks. To get the most out of your robot, search for a model with zone and spot cleaning modes to focus on particular areas and prevent unnecessary cleaning. There are also models that recharges and then resumes where it left off which is a huge benefit for a house with a lot of rooms.